Rick Huxley Dies: Co-Founder Of Dave Clark Five Passes Away At 72

Rick Huxley, co-founder and bassist of the 1960s pop-rock group The Dave Clark Five, has died. He was 72.

Dave Clark, leader of the British band, told Reuters that Huxley died suddenly at his home in England on Monday. The cause of death is not known, but the musician reportedly suffered from emphysema for several years.

From 1960 – 1970, The Dave Clark Five achieved No. 1 hits in both the UK and the US. The band’s song “Glad All Over” famously knocked the Beatles‘ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” from the top spot in the UK chart in 1964, and “Over and Over” topped the US chart in 1965.

Speaking in a telephone call to Reuters, Clark said:

“I spoke to him on Friday and he was in great spirits. He went through a recent doctor’s check and had a good, clean bill of health. This came totally out of the blue, and I’m just devastated.”

Clark says he will remember his bandmate for his humor and modest ways:

“He always made me smile and I’ll miss that immensely. He was never arrogant and flashy. He was a gentleman and very low key. He was a very, very talented musician and a great friend.”

Rick Huxley was born in Dartford, England, the same town that is now home to Rolling Stones legends Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Huxley, pictured second from right with his bandmates below, is survived by two sons and a daughter.

The footage below shows Rick Huxley performing with The Dave Clark Five on a 1964 edition of Top of the Pops: